WO2004007320A1 - Conveyor belt - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a planar conveyor belt designed to move along curved trajectories and consisting of a plurality of chain-links (2) including, staggered at the front (3) and at the rear (4) of a central core (5), a succession of slots (6, 7) including each an opening (8, 9), in particular oblong in shape, so as to ensure play in a longitudinal direction of a chain-link (2) relative to another adjacent chain-link. Said conveyor belt is characterized in that at least on the side (14) external to the curved trajectory it is designed to follow, at least some of the chain-links (2) comprise, in their transverse extension, a chain-link module (18) providing, in particular across its slots (6A, 7A) a curvilinear contact zone with the pivot pins linking them.

Description

CONVEYOR MAT

The invention relates to a plane conveyor belt provided capable of taking curved paths and composed of a plurality of links comprising, arranged in staggered rows, at the front and at the rear of a central core, a succession of slots comprising , each, an opening for the passage of a transverse articulation axis ensuring the connection between two successive links, at least the openings of the slots at the front or those at the rear being defined in an oblong shape so as to ensure a play in a longitudinal direction of a link with respect to another adjacent one.

The present invention relates to the field of conveying any objects, for example containers or the like.

In this regard, in this field of conveying containers such as bottles, the conveyors most frequently used to transport them through a bottling unit include pallet chains describing looped circuits and on the upper side of which rests, precisely, the bottom of these bottles.

Several of these pallet chains can be juxtaposed to form a conveying plane.

Obviously, the small width of the pallets making up these chains allows them to take curved paths. This type of pallet chain, usually made of stainless steel, proves to be a particularly high cost price, taking into account, moreover, that their drive must often be individualized.

Furthermore, the speed differential between a chain inside the curve and that located outside leads to a relative movement of the containers between them during their transport from one processing unit to another. This is not always desirable, in particular, when it is necessary to transport unstable containers.

We have therefore imagined conveyor belts capable of taking, in a horizontal plane, curved trajectories while being made up of links articulated with respect to each other extending over the entire width of a conveyor .

More particularly, such a link comprises, at the front and at the rear of a central core and arranged in staggered rows, a succession of slots crossed by an opening for the passage of a hinge pin ensuring the connection of two successive links.

At least the slots of the slots at the front or those at the rear are defined in an oblong shape to give these links longitudinal mobility with respect to each other. This allows these links to approach each other on the internal side at a turn taken by the conveyor belt.

Under these conditions it is understood, moreover, that if on the straight portions taken by this mat, the traction which is imparted to it by appropriate drive means is exerted from one link to the other over their entire length, in the curved portions this pulling force can be passed on from one link to the next only through their slots located outside the bend.

Obviously, the fact that this tensile force comes to concentrate at the outer edge of the conveyor belt, so to speak only from one link to another through only one of their slots, makes this carpet particularly brittle. In short, the width of such a carpet conveying is necessarily limited. In addition, they cannot take a bend of more than 90 °.

To improve the situation, some solutions have been considered. The first consisted of adding a reinforced module to the ends of each link. In particular, if the links are usually made of plastic, the reinforcement modules which complete them at their ends are themselves made of metal. In fact, this solution does not completely respond to the problem posed and the increase in the weight of the carpet through these metallic additional modules, which are also expensive, makes it unsatisfactory.

In the context of document WO-98/06648, it has also been thought to give the articulation axis connecting two successive links a conical shape in its end portions. Here again, the problem posed is not answered, since this conicity, necessarily corresponding to a fixed datum, can only be suitable for a well defined radius of curvature, for example, the maximum radius of curvature that the carpet can take.

It is obvious, therefore, that for smaller radii of curvature, the retransmission of the tensile force occurs from one link to the other, at a precise point on their length transverse to the axis of the belt.

In short, this retransmission of the tensile force is carried out in a localized manner via one, or even two of the slots of these links.

As part of a first inventive step, we thought of restating the problem and in this context we could see that, in 90% of conveyor systems, such as bottling units, the conveyor belt '' a conveyor is only required to take curved paths in one direction, i.e. left or right, relative to the direction of progression of this mat.

Also, for these 90% of the installations it was thought that it could be advantageous to find a solution making it possible to solve the problem by improving the distribution of the stresses, at will, of one and / or the other of the sides of the conveyor belt, that is to say the side coming to lie outside the trajectory which it is intended to borrow from this belt.

Note, however, that the reinforcement according to the invention can take place on each of the lateral sides of the mat, that is to say at each of the ends of the links which compose it.

In a second inventive step, it was thought that, in particular on the external side of a curved trajectory, the conveyor belt adapts to such a trajectory, not through a relative mobility of the links between them, but thanks to the modularity of each of these links.

In short, if the links are normally movable with one another thanks to the oblong openings made in their slots crossed by a hinge pin, it has been thought rather to adapt the width of these links, in particular, in their part external to the curvature. , to the radius of the latter.

To this end, the invention relates to a flat conveyor belt provided capable of taking curved paths and composed of a plurality of links comprising, staggered, at the front and at the rear of a central core, a succession of slots each having an opening for the passage of a transverse articulation axis ensuring the connection between two successive links, at least the slots openings at the front or those at the rear being defined as oblong so as to provide play in a longitudinal direction of one link with respect to another adjacent, characterized by the fact that at least on the side external to the curved trajectory intended to be taken by the conveyor belt, at least some of the links comprise, in their transverse extension, a link module comprising, staggered at the front and at the rear of a central core, slots provided with an oblong opening ending at least on the outside, the furthest from the median plane of the link module, by a semi-circular sector, the center of which is on an axis of convex shape with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter, seen in relation to said median plane.

In the context of the same inventive idea, the invention also relates to a plane conveyor belt provided capable of taking curved paths and composed of a plurality of links comprising, arranged in staggered rows, at the front and rear '' a central core, a succession of slots each having an opening for the passage of a transverse articulation axis ensuring the connection between two successive links, at least the slots openings at the front or those at the rear being defined in an oblong shape so as to provide a play in a longitudinal direction of a link with respect to another adjacent one, characterized in that at least on the side external to the curved path intended to be taken by the conveyor belt , at least some of the links comprise, in their transverse extension, a link module composed of at least two intermediate links comprising, staggered at the front and at the rear of a central core, slots, those at the front, respectively at the rear of the front intermediate link, respectively rear, being provided with an opening adjusted to the cylindrical section of the articulation axis which crosses them, while the slots at the rear, respectively at the front, of the front intermediate link, respectively rear, being provided with an oblong opening ending at least on the outside, the furthest from the median plane of the intermediate link corresponding, by a semicircular sector, the center of which is located on a axis of convex shape with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter, seen in relation to said median plane, these oblong openings being crossed by a section of intermediate articulation axis.

Still with the same inventive idea, the invention also relates to a plane conveyor belt provided capable of following curved paths and composed of a plurality of links comprising, arranged in staggered rows, at the front and at the rear of a central core, a succession of slots comprising, each, an opening for the passage of a transverse articulation axis ensuring the connection between two successive links, at least the slots openings at the front or those at the rear being defined oblong in shape so as to provide play in a longitudinal direction of a link with respect to another adjacent, characterized in that at least on the side external to the curved path intended to be taken by the conveyor belt, at at least some of the links have, in their transverse extension, a link module comprising, staggered at the front and at the rear of a central core, slots provided with a opening adjusted to the cylindrical section of the hinge axis passing through them, the core of these link modules being defined by two juxtaposed strips, the front strip of which carries the rear slots and the rear strip of the front slots, these strips adopting a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the transverse median plane of a link and being defined in a convex shape facing each other with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter.

It appears from the design according to the invention that at least on the external part of a curved path taken by the conveyor belt, the retransmission of the traction force is exerted from one link to the other through the link modules extending them outside a bend, which modules have several slots perfectly engaged with the articulation axes, or even a section of intermediate articulation axis.

In summary, the design of these end link modules and the curvilinear contact surface that they provide in each of their embodiments, allows retransmission of this tensile force from one link to the other taking into account several of their front and rear slots and not just one as was the case in previously known situations.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and the appended drawings relating to one embodiment.

Figure 1 shows, schematically, a top view of a portion of conveyor belt according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic, partial and plan view of the conveyor belt.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, in perspective and partially, the links of a conveyor belt ending in a link module according to the invention, according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates diagrammatically in plan and in section of a link module corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the link module of FIG. 4.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically, in perspective and partially, links of a conveyor belt ending in a link module according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates diagrammatically in plan and in section of a link module corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the link module of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates schematically, in perspective and partially, links of a conveyor belt ending in a link module according to the invention, according to a third embodiment.

Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a link module, corresponding to the embodiment of Figure 9, in the assembly phase of the two elementary parts which compose it.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view from above of this link module illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective representation, seen from below of the link module of FIG. 10.

As shown schematically in Figure 1, the present invention relates to a conveyor belt 1 plane provided capable of taking curved paths by deformation in a horizontal plane.

As shown in Figure 2, this mat 1 is composed of a plurality of links 2 articulated with respect to each other, each of these links 2 comprising, staggered at the front 3 and at the rear 4 d '' a central core 5, a succession of slots 6, 7 each having an opening 8, 9 for the passage of a transverse articulation axis 10, 11 ensuring the connection between two successive links 2. The openings 8, 9 of the slots 6 in the front part 3 and / or the slots 7 in the rear part 4 are defined in an oblong shape in a direction perpendicular to the median plane 12 of a link 2 so as to ensure play of a link 2 relative to another adjacent, longitudinally to the carpet 1.

If we take into account that on a conveyor line the tensile forces are exerted on the belt 1 as represented by the arrows 13 which we see in FIG. 1, that is, when turning, outside 14 of the latter, it has been thought to reinforce at least the corresponding lateral side 15 of this conveyor belt 1.

In fact, since on 90% of the conveyor lines, only turns in one direction, either to the right or to the left, are taken by a belt 1, it may be useless to reinforce it on each of its lateral sides 15.

Ultimately, this reinforcement consists in adding, in the transverse extension of at least some of these links 2, therefore to one and / or the other end 17 of the latter, a reinforcement link module 18, shown in different embodiments in Figures 3 to 12.

These link modules 18 can be independent or form an integral part of the links 2. There again, at the front 3A and at the rear 4A, staggered, slots 6A, 7A, the number of which can be variable and which are crossed by openings 8A, 9A for the passage of the articulation axes 10, 11.

In this regard and according to a first embodiment visible in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, said openings 8A, 9A are defined in an oblong shape and end at least on the outside side 30,

31 furthest from the median plane 32 of the link module 18, by an i-circular sector 33, the center 34 of which is situated on an axis 35, 36 of convex shape with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter, seen with respect to said median plane 32.

According to a second embodiment illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, a link module 18 is composed of at least two intermediate links 40; 41 comprising, staggered in front and behind a central core 42; 43, slots 44, 45; 46, 47. Those at the front 44, respectively at the rear 47, of the front intermediate link 40, respectively rear 41, are provided with an opening 8A, 9A adjusted to the cylindrical section of the hinge pin 10 , 11 crossing them. While the slots at the rear 45, respectively at the front 46, of the front intermediate link 40, respectively rear 41, are provided with an oblong opening 48; 49 ending at least on the outer side 50; 51 furthest from the median plane 52; 53 of the intermediate link 40; 41 corresponding, by a semi-circular sector 54; 55 including the center 56; 57 is located on an axis 58; 59 of convex shape with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter, seen with respect to said median plane, respectively 52; 53. These oblong openings are crossed by a section of intermediate articulation axis 60.

Finally, according to a third embodiment, said openings 8A, 9A of the front slots 6A and rear slots 7A of the link module 18 are, in this case, adjusted to the section of the axes 10, 11 connecting the links 2. In sum, these slots 6A, 7A are mounted exclusively pivoting on these axes. Furthermore and according to the invention, this link module 18 comprises a central core 5A defined by two strips 19, 20, juxtaposed whose front strip 19 carries the rear slots 7A, the rear strip 20 carrying the front slots 6A. In short, this link module 18 is composed of two elementary parts 21, 22 intended to be fitted one into the other under the conditions illustrated in FIG. 10.

More particularly, the front slots 6A are introduced from below between the rear slots 7A in order to be pushed back in the front portion 3A so that the strip 20 carrying these front slots 6A is juxtaposed at the rear of the strip 19 carrying the rear slots 7A.

The length of the slots 6A, 7A is thus defined so as to confer on its elementary parts 21, 22, of a link module 18 relative mobility in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal median plane, ie in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 1 .

Furthermore, these strips 19, 20 are designed, facing one another, of convex shape with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter, preferably of the order of three meters. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 11, once the two elementary parts 21, 22 are separated at most, corresponding to a situation of curved trajectory taken by the conveyor belt 1, the strips 19, 20 are supported one on the 'other by their convex-shaped side along an area extending over a length corresponding to several of their slots 6A, 7A to promote the distribution of the tensile load exerted on said conveyor belt 1.

This results, on the one hand, from the size of the radius of curvature of their convex side and, on the other hand, from their elastic deformation under the effect of this tensile force exerted on the conveyor belt 1.

In fact, it is this same principle which is applied in each of the embodiments described above, since each time a curvilinear contact zone is sought spanning several slots, when the carpet takes a curved path

It will be noted, in this regard, that this better distribution of the tensile load on a link makes it possible to design these reinforcement link modules 18 made of synthetic material, just like the links 2 themselves.

In sum, the present invention makes it possible to respond, in an advantageous manner, to the problem posed, since the gain obtained is not simply limited to increased mechanical strength of the conveyor belt 1. In fact, the latter can, finally, borrow without further difficulty curvatures greater than 90 °, curvatures having required, until now the use of two separate conveyor belts with own drive means for each of them.

Once again, it is specified that the link modules do not necessarily equip each link of the mat, that they can have different lengths, in particular to create a nesting preventing them from escaping from the main links, especially when they are not an integral part of them.

Claims

claims 1. Plan conveyor belt provided capable of taking curved paths and composed of a plurality of links (2) comprising, staggered at the front (3) and at the rear (4) a central core (5), a succession of slots (6, 7) each comprising an opening (8, 9) for the passage of a hinge pin (10, 11) ensuring the connection between two successive links (2), at least the openings (8, 9) of the slots (6) at the front (3) or those (7) at the rear (4) being defined in an oblong shape so as to ensure a play in a longitudinal direction of a link (2) relative to another adjacent, characterized in that at least on the external side (14) to the curved path intended to be taken by the conveyor belt (1) , at least some of the links (2) comprise, in their transverse extension, a link module (18) comprising, staggered at the front (3A) and at the rear (4A) of a central core (5A ), slots (6A, 7A) provided with an oblong opening (8A, 9A) ending, at least on the outside (30, 31) furthest from the median plane (32) of the link module (18), by a semi-circular sector (33) whose center 34 is located on an axis 35, 36 of convex shape with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter, seen with respect to said median plane 32. 2. Plan conveyor belt provided capable of taking curved paths and composed of a plurality of links (2) comprising, staggered at the front (3) and at the rear (4) of a central core ( 5), a succession of slots (6, 7) each comprising an opening (8, 9) for the passage of a hinge pin (10, 11) ensuring the connection between two successive links (2), minus the openings (8, 9) of the slots (6) at the front (3) or those (7) at the rear (4) being defined in an oblong shape so as to provide play in a longitudinal direction of link (2) with respect to another adjacent one, characterized in that at least on the side external (14) to the curved path intended to be taken by the conveyor belt (1), at least some of the links (2) comprise, in their transverse extension, a link module (18), composed of at least two intermediate links (40; 41) comprising, staggered at the front and at the rear of a central core (42; 43), slots (44, 45; 46, 47), those at the front ( 44), respectively at the rear (47), of the front intermediate link (40), respectively rear (41), being provided with an opening (8A, 9A) adjusted to the cylindrical section of the hinge pin ( 10, 11) which passes through them, while the slots at the rear (45), respectively at the front (46), of the front intermediate link (40), respectively rear (41), being provided with an oblong opening (48; 49) ending, at least on the outer side (50; 51) furthest from the median plane (52; 53) of the corresponding intermediate link (40; 41), by a semi-circular sector (54; 55) whose center (56; 57) is located on an axis (58; 59) of convex shape with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter, seen relative to said median plane, respectively (52; 53), these oblong openings (48; 49) being crossed by a section of intermediate articulation axis (60). 3. Plan conveyor belt provided capable of taking curved paths and composed of a plurality of links (2) comprising, staggered at the front (3) and at the rear (4) a central core (5), a succession of slots (6, 7) each comprising an opening (8, 9) for the passage of a hinge pin (10, 11) ensuring the connection between two successive links (2), at least the openings (8, 9) of the slots (6) at the front (3) or those (7) at the rear (4) being defined in an oblong shape so as to ensure a play in a longitudinal direction of a link (2) relative to another adjacent, characterized in that at least on the external side (14) to the curved path intended to be taken by the conveyor belt (1) , at least some of the links (2) comprise, in their transverse extension, a link module (18) comprising, staggered at the front (3A) and at the rear (4A) of a central core (5A), slots (6A , 7A) provided with an opening (8A, 9A) adjusted to the cylindrical section of the hinge pin (10, 11) which passes through them, the core (5A) of these link modules (18) being defined by two juxtaposed strips (19, 20), including the front strip (19) carries the rear slots (7A) and the rear strip (20) the front slots (6A), these strips (19, 20) adopting a symmetrical arrangement relative to the transverse median plane of a link (2) and being defined by two strips (19, 20) juxtaposed including the front strip (19) carries the rear slots (7A) and the rear strip (20) of the front slots (6A), these strips (19, 20) adopting a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the transverse median plane of a link (2) and being defined convex in shape opposite one another with a large radius of curvature, greater than one meter. 4. Conveyor belt according to claim 3, characterized in that the link module (18) is composed of two elementary parts (21, 22) intended to be fitted into one another. 5. Conveyor belt according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the length of the slots (6A, 7A) of a link module (18) is thus defined to give the elementary parts (21, 22) which the composes a relative mobility in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal median plane, ie in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt (1). 6. Conveyor belt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radius of curvature of the sides of the convex shapes of the strips (19, 20) or of the axes (34, 35; 58, 59) is chosen to around 3 meters. 7. Conveyor belt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reinforcement link module (18) is made of plastic.